Sheetboard coin bank



Nov. 6, 1962 A. s. JANUS SHEETBOARD com BANK Filed April 17, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 INVENTOR. 1 flux/was: G JZuq:

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SHEETBOARD com BANK Filed April 17, 1961 2 sheets-slmeet 2 m mmvron *1 1915x4005? 6-. JAM/0s Jrromver atent Ofifice 3,062,436 Patented Nov. 6, 1962 Texas Filed Apr. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 103,287 Claims. (Cl. 232-5) This invention relates to coin banks and more particularly to a fabricated coin bank.

An object of this invention is to provide a pre-scored sheet of materail from which components may be separated and constructed through an efficient interlocking system to produce a small coin bank for children.

Another object of this invention is to provide coin bank components as described above which are inexpensive and simple in design and manufacture.

A further object of this invention is to provide a flat sheet having components capable of being formed into a coin bank to hold a quantity of coins of different denominations which may be used in savings promotion by banks and, by virtue of its flat form, easily accommodates itself for mailing purposes.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a coin bank as described above wherein some of the com ponents provide a means of viewing the coins contained therein.

Often times banks, or similar establishments, seek Ways in which they may promote their business through useful media. The invention which I disclose herein is concerned with a small coin bank which will serve the purpose as well as provide a novel form of entertainment for a child. As will be explained subsequently, my invention can be used by banks as a direct mail piece whereon advertising, saving and thrift slogans, or the like may be printed.

Once the article is received by a bank customer, the children of the customer find the fabrication of the bank a novel challenge and once the fabricated bank is completed, the children will have an added interest in saving because they will be saving money in the very bank which they themselves had put together.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description, made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views and in which.

FIGURE 1 is a portional view of my die-cut sheet containing one of the principal elements of the invention therein;

FIGURE 2 is a front view of the other principal element;

FIGURE 3 is a pictorial view of the completely fabricated coin bank in reduced size;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged top view of the coin bank;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical cross sectional view of FIG- URE 4 taken at lines 55;

FIGURE 6 is a bottom view of the coin bank; and

FIGURE 7 is a vertical and segmental cross sectional view of FIGURE 4 taken at 77.

Referring more particularly now to FIGURE 1, I refer to the die-cut sheet generally as 10 having blocks 11 which are held in the die-cut sheet 10 by partial die-cut lines 12 which are represented in' full line. Shown in the upper lefthand corner of FIGURE 1 are the top block 13 and bottom block 14 of the bank. The remainder of the blocks 11 of die-cut sheet 10 are spacer blocks 15, all of which have the same configuration. All of the blocks have equal dimensions on corresponding sides 16 and each block 11 has recessed corners 17 formed by a curved portion 18 adjoining reverse curvature portions 19 at joinder points 20 and 21. As seen in FIGURE 1, a fold line 22 is provided whereby the die-cut sheet 10 may be folded for a more accommodatable mailing size.

Referring again to the top block 13, it is noted that four rectangular slots 23 are provided of which one slot 24 may be provided for quarters, and has dimensions accordingly, slot 25 for dimes, slot 26 for nickels and slot 27 for pennies. These slots, of course, are also diecut around their edges so that the center part 28 may be easily punched out.

As may be seen in FIGURE 1, the bottom plate 14 is of a solid material wherein the recessed corners 17 are punched out as are all other recessed corners 17 of blocks 11.

Spacer blocks 15, which comprise the majority part of the die-cut sheet 10, all have four coin openings 29: the quarter opening 30, a dime opening 31, a nickel opening 32 and a penny opening 33. The openings 29, of course, have diametrical dimensions equal to the corresponding coin to be held therein. Each of the above openings has a portion 34 which adjoins the corner recess 17, as shown in FIGURE 1, the purpose of which will be explained subsequently. The remaining portions 35 of die-cut sheet 10 are either discarded or portions 36 may be used by children as play money.

As may be seen in FIGURE 2, I provide a single sheet 37 of die-cut material, preferably of the transparent plastic type, out of which may be punched the four corner keys 38. Each corner key has a foot end 39 and a top end 40. Top end 40, defined by sides 41 and end 42, is shorter than the foot end 39 which is defined by a longer side 43. The foot end 39 is longer since this portion forms the feet 44 of the completely fabricated bank 45 (see FIGURE 3). Intermediate the corner key ends is the mid-portion 46 defined by sides 47.

During fabrication of the bank, the corner keys 38 are punched out of the sheet 37 along the lines 48 which are also die-cut. When the coin bank is fabricated, the border portion 49 and intermediate portions 50 are discarded.

Referring now specifically to FIGURE 3, I show my fabricated coin bank 45 as it would appear when completely assembled. Shown in each corner is a single corner key 38 having the top end 40 held in abutting registry with the upper surface 51 of the top block 13. Positioned below the top block 13 are a plurality of spacer blocks 15 and located on the bottom of the bank 45 is the bottom block 14 under which are the feet 44- of the corner keys 38'.

To more clearly show the construction of my fabricated bank 45 and the relation of the principal elements therein, I provide FIGURES 4, 5, 6 and 7 of which FIGURE 4 simply shows a top view. In this view, the dotted lines 52 represent the outline of the coin openings 29. As may be seen in FIGURE 4, the coin slots 23 overlie the respective coin openings 29. Also seen is the relation of the corner keys 38 to the recessed corners 17 of the blocks 11.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURE 7, the relationship of the elements forming the corner are better shown. The corner key 38 is shown with its mid-portion 46 held in expanding force against the corners 20 and 21 of the blocks 11 due to the compressed curvature of the key 38 (see FIGURES 4 and 6). The expanding force tends to hold all of the corners 20 and 21 of blocks 11 in substantially vertical alignment due to the straight line edge 47 of the mid-portion 46. As mentioned above, the corner key 38 is made of a transparent material and for this reason, the portion 34 adjoining the recess corner 17 (see FIGURE 1) is provided (as defined by lines 53 and 54 of FIGURE 7) which exposes the outer edge of any coin 55 which may be located within the coin openings 29. In this manner, the plastic corner key 38 not only serves as a structure member but as a transparent window as well, so that the quantity of money banked is readily visible. One such plastic corner key in each of the four corners permits viewing of coins contained in any one of the four coin openings 29.

Referring to FIGURE 5, I show the fabricated coin bank 45 in cross section wherein the portions 34 adjoining the recess corners 17 are shown exposed from the interior. As may be noted from this view, the top block 13 has only the rectangular slots 23 punched therethrough, the bottom block has no openings, and the spacer blocks have circular openings 29 as described above which, when positioned as in FIGURE 5, combine to form hollow chambers 56.

FIGURE 6 simply shows the relation of the corner keys to the bottom block after the bank has been fabricated.

In the use of my invention, the die-cut sheet It is folded, as shown in FIGURE 1, along fold line 22 so as to reduce the overall size. The die-cut sheet 15), as folded, along with the transparent sheet 37 may then be simply mailed to a customer.

Upon receipt of sheets 10 and 37, a child may simply separate the block components from the sheet 10 by punching with his fingers, and separate the corner keys 38 from sheet 37. Next, the spacer blocks may be stacked one on top of the other so that corresponding coin openings 29 will be vertically aligned. The bottom block 14 is then put on the bottom of the last spacer block 15 and the top block 13 is positioned on the top spacer block having the correct coin openings 23 in registry with the corresponding coin opening 29 of the spacer blocks. The resulting lamination of blocks now forms the body structure of the bank.

While holding the blocks in the above relation, a corner key 38 is held flatly against aligned corner recesses 17 after which the midportion 4-6 is forced inwardly until edges 47 snap or lock into corners or joinder points and 21. The position of the corner key is, of course, such that the top end 41 of the corner key registers with the top surface 51 of the top block and the bottom end of the corner key registers with the bottom of the bottom block. After the three remaining corner keys are inserted into the three remaining corner recesses, the coin bank will be completely fabricated and ready for use.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A coin bank comprising, a sheet-fabricated body having elements thereof defining enclosed hollow chambers for holding coins and openings in one side of said body communicating said hollow chambers externally of said body, said hollow chambers also having side portions thereof exposed exteriorly, and a transparent means overlying the exposed portions of said hollow chambers 4. for securing said elements permanently together whereby coins may be inserted and retained in said hollow chambers and then viewed externally.

2. A coin bank comprising, a plurality of flat uniformly cut spacer blocks, all of said spacer blocks being identical and having recessed corners and a plurality of openings adjacent said corners, portions of said recessed corners being in open communication with said openings, a bottom block having similarly recessed corners to said spacer blocks, a top block also having recessed corners similar to those of said spacer blocks and further having a plurality of slots therethrough, and a plurality of corner keys whereby when said spacer blocks are assembled to form a laminoted body with corresponding openings in registry to form chambers for holding coins and said bottom and top blocks are also in aligned position with said spacer blocks wherein said top block slots are positioned in communication with said chambers and corresponding recessed corners of said blocks are in alignment, said corner key when positioned transversely with said recessed corners permanently holding said blocks in laminated relation.

3. The coin bank set forth in claim 2 wherein said corner key comprises a flexible sheet having an upper end, portions thereof being in downward securing relation on said top block, a lower end, portions thereof being in counteractant upward securing relation on said bottom block and a medial portion interconnecting said ends.

4. The coin bank set forth in claim 2 wherein at least one of said corner keys comprises a flexible and transparent sheet wherein coins contained in said chambers may be viewed through said sheet by way of the portions of said recessed corners which are in open communication with said spacer block openings.

5. A sheet of rigid material having a plurality of diecut blocks with identical sides and corner recesses, one of said blocks having a plurality of slots for receiving coins therethrough and forming a top block, and one of said blocks being solid or continuous and forming a bottom block, the remainder of said blocks having a plurality of circular openings corresponding in number and position to said top block slots and adapted to be superposed with the openings in registry to form chambers for receiving coins, said slots respectively overlying said chambers, said circular openings further communicating with portions of said corner recesses whereby portions of said openings are exposed exteriorly through said recesses, and a sheet of transparent and flexible material having a plurality of diecut corner keys, portions of said keys being inserted into said corner recesses for releasably holding said blocks in registry.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

